at a lot of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a lot of" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely a misinterpretation of "a lot" or "at a lot of places," which can be used in informal contexts. Example: "I have seen that movie at a lot of different theaters this summer."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We went to the beach a lot, discoed in an orange grove," he said, "ate at a lot of different places, hung out at a lot of places".

The New York Times

I cry at a lot of things.

The New Yorker

"This happens at a lot of them.

Independent

"I worked at a lot of things".

The New York Times - Sports

We're looking at a lot of things".

The New York Times - Sports

"We looked at a lot of homes," Ms. Hanchard said.

The New York Times

I looked at a lot of Kara Walker's stuff.

The New York Times

They're angry at a lot of the players.

The New York Times - Sports

"I've been looking at a lot of colleges.

The New York Times

Q. You've worked at a lot of different companies.

The New York Times

Did you look at a lot of reality shows?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, replace "at a lot of" with more precise alternatives like "in many", "at numerous", or "in abundance" to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "at a lot of" in academic papers, business reports, or other formal documents. Opt for more appropriate and grammatically sound alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a lot of" functions as a prepositional phrase, though its usage is often considered grammatically incorrect in formal contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that it is likely a misinterpretation and suggests using "a lot" or "at a lot of places" instead.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

28%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at a lot of" appears frequently, particularly in news and media, it is considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. As Ludwig AI suggests, alternatives such as "in many" or "at numerous" are preferable for clarity and professionalism. Although commonly used, especially in informal contexts, it's essential to recognize that authoritative sources advise against it in formal settings. For enhanced writing, remember to opt for precise alternatives over the ambiguous and grammatically questionable "at a lot of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at plenty of

Replaces "a lot of" with "plenty of", retaining a similar level of informality.

in many

Replaces the phrase with a more concise prepositional phrase indicating frequency.

at numerous

Substitutes "a lot of" with the more formal adjective "numerous".

in abundance

Replaces the phrase with a noun phrase that means in great quantity.

in a number of

Similar in meaning but slightly more formal.

at various

Implies a wide range instead of just a large quantity.

across many

Indicates a widespread occurrence or distribution.

at a multitude of

Uses a more formal and emphatic term for "a lot".

in several

Indicates more than a few, but less than 'many'.

at copious

Substitutes "a lot of" with a formal adjective meaning abundant.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "at a lot of"?

You can use phrases like "in many", "at numerous", or "in abundance" for a more formal tone.

Is it grammatically correct to use "at a lot of" in writing?

While common in speech, "at a lot of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. It's better to use alternatives like "in many".

How can I replace "at a lot of places" in a sentence?

Consider using "in many locations", "at numerous venues", or "at several sites" as alternatives to "at a lot of places".

What's the difference between "at a lot of" and "a lot of"?

"A lot of" typically modifies a noun directly, while "at a lot of" is often used incorrectly as a prepositional phrase. It's better to use "a lot of" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.